Former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn on Sunday night said that a Myanmar-like military coup "should happen" in the U.S.
Flynn made the remarks during a Q&A session at a conference called the "For God & Country Patriot Roundup" in Dallas, Texas. "I want to know why what happened in Myanmar can't happen here?" one attendee asked, prompting loud applause from the crowd.
"No reason. I mean, it should happen here," Flynn said.
Here is the video of former national security advisor Michael Flynn saying that he thinks a coup like the coup in Myanmar should happen in the US. pic.twitter.com/7mGYjfXg18
— Mamie 😌 (@MC_Hyperbole) May 30, 2021
Newsweek reached out to the White House for comment. This story will be updated with any response.
Hours before Myanmar's new government was due to meet for its first session on February 1, the country's military executed a morning raid, detaining elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi and other political figures from the ruling National League for Democracy. The military defended its actions as necessary in light of voter fraud allegations in the Myanmar November election.
The coup sparked nationwide protests, with hundreds of thousands of demonstrators taking to the streets to demand Kyi's release and a return to civilian rule. Hundreds of civilians have been killed and thousands have been detained since the military seized control in the South East Asian country.
According to a Media Matters analysis, supporters of the QAnon conspiracy theory and users of far-right online messaging boards have praised Myanmar's coup, with some calling it an "awakening."
Former President Donald Trump pardoned Flynn in late November after the former adviser pleaded guilty twice to lying to the FBI.
"It is my Great Honor to announce that General Michael T. Flynn has been granted a Full Pardon," Trump tweeted at the time. "Congratulations to @GenFlynn and his wonderful family, I know you will now have a truly fantastic Thanksgiving!"
Flynn, who's viewed as a hero within the QAnon movement, has been linked to the conspiracy theory since he shared a video to Twitter on June 4, 2020. In the clip, Flynn could be seen taking a makeshift oath of office that ended with the popular QAnon phrase "where we go one we go all," which is often abbreviated to "WWG1WGA."
In the tweet, Flynn also used the hashtag #TakeTheOath, which is often used by other QAnon followers when sharing posts in support of the radical movement.
On April 12, Flynn spoke at a "America's Future" event in Tennessee, hosted by Regeneration Nashville, a religious group. One audience member stood up during a Q&A session and said "where we go one we go all."
"Now that's a great phrase, isn't it?" Flynn said. "And they'll tell you you're a conspiracy [theorist], you're all kinds of crazy. I mean...wow it's incredible."
